Pathophysiology Practice Test: Pain, Temperature, Sleep, and Sensory Function — Flashcards

The skin is the body's largest sensory organ, containing structures that sense and transmit information about temperature, pain, itch, and touch to the central nervous system. 

The body uses different mechanisms to regulate temperature, including peripheral, central, and behavioral mechanisms. However, neuropsychological processes like sleep, stress, and trauma can also influence thermoregulation. 
The body senses pain and temperature through a special receptor called TrpV1. This receptor changes shape with heat or pain signals and is found in cells all over the body. These signals are sent to the brain through fast, medium, and slow nerve fibers. 
Sensory nerves control what you feel, such as pain, temperature, or a light touch. Sensory neuropathy affects these groups of nerves. 
The thalamus is an egg-shaped structure in the middle of the brain that relays sensory and motor information from the body to the brain. The thalamus also plays a role in sleep, wakefulness, consciousness, learning, and memory.